Microwave tomography for GPR diagnostics of reinforced concrete

In recent years, innovative strategies such as inverse-scattering or data fusion have been suggested for the processing of GPR datasets in complex scenarios. In this framework, high-resolution concrete inspections are a challenge regarding the treatment of radar data because of the size of the datasets and the complex structures involved. In addition, the achievable depth of inspection is in many cases restricted to unacceptable limits because of the material properties of concrete and the “masking effect” of the upper layers of rebar. Thus, the application of innovative approaches to high-resolution concrete data seems to suggest itself. In this framework, this work deals with the processing of a high-resolution, dataset acquired on a concrete retaining wall via an inverse scattering technique. In particular, we show how the adoption of a strategy based on signal processing techniques and an inverse scattering approach is able to provide the mapping of the two layers of rebar.